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One of the fastest-growing summer vacations isn't a week-long cruise through the Caribbean but a short-term, intense volunteer trip to some of the most remote corners of the world, including India, west Africa, China and South America. Although "Travel+Leisure" magazine's Douglas McGray says it may be "liberal guilt," an Independent Sector study claims 70 percent do it primarily to expand their horizons. Whatever your motivations, you must consider the reality of such a trip before you go.

Cost

Contrary to popular belief, most volunteer vacations aren't free. While you may spend less than on a traditional vacation of similar length, it's not a good option for young travelers with a tight budget. These trips are usually organized by nonprofit groups that would rather spend their revenue on those in need than funding "voluntourism."

The total cost of a summer volunteer trip will vary depending on location. Most of the expense comes from travel and airfare, especially since many opportunities are in remote or infrequently visited locations. Summer is a peak season for airlines, which often charge more from June through September than in the winter, despite the fact that you're working for free on your trip. One way to reduce expenditure is to volunteer closer to home or combine your volunteer trip with another vacation.

Location

Poverty, natural disasters and ecological decline exists virtually everywhere. If you are more interested in visiting a particular area than in working in a particular field, the options are wide open.

For instance, Action Without Borders hosts a website called Idealist.org, on which you can search among tens of thousands of volunteer positions in nearly every country in the world — there are even virtual opportunities available — to find your perfect volunteer trip.

Religion

Churches and religious groups practiced volunteerism abroad long before it became popular around the mid 1950s. While not all religious groups on volunteer trips have a missionary or "spread-the-Gospel" objective, carefully read the mission statement of any organization you plan to travel with. Secular trips are just as easy to find as religious trips, and you don't want to find yourself in an uncomfortable position that could have been avoided.

Even despite a secular, humanitarian objective, some cultures may find Western do-gooders obtrusive, offensive or even dangerous to their way of life. An extreme example is the August 2010 massacre of 10 medical humanitarians working in Afghanistan, who were murdered by Taliban fighters who suspected them of proselytizing. You may be willing to risk conflict, but you should not do so unknowingly.

Dress

Part of the fun of volunteer travel is the new perspectives you can gain from contact with other cultures or socioeconomic statuses. While you can and should make time to relax during a volunteer vacation, your suitcase will look vastly different from the casual tourist's.

Adopt as many local customs as you can, which will help you blend in and will make it easier to communicate with those you are helping. Not only will this reduce the risk of robbery (tourists are often targeted) and discourage persistent beggars, it can serve as an appropriate reminder for the reason you are traveling, open your eyes to new perspectives and make you more approachable. Pack clothes appropriate for the work you will undoubtedly be doing — constructing a thatched roof is difficult in this season's hottest metallic sandals. Also be aware of cultural expectations: Muslim communities frown or even forbid women from wearing revealing clothing, for instance.

Comfort

Volunteer travel usually doesn't include the type of luxuries most Americans are used to. Plush furnishings, maid service and air conditioning are almost definitely out, but don't be surprised if you are asked to give up much more. In many areas of the world, whole towns lack clean water, floors or solid walls. Remember that unlike those you are helping, your situation there is temporary.

It's easy to dismiss concerns about comfort and fun as shallow, but volunteer trips can be extremely difficult. Combine homesickness, traveler's diarrhea, culture shock, bug bites, a lack of running water and loneliness, and your trip can easily become overwhelming. Make an effort to stay clean and dry, and try journaling or contacting loved ones when you can to maintain motivation.

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About the Author

Laura Crawford-Adiletta became the in-house copy editor of "Cleveland" magazine in 2008, where she also worked as a section and special project editor. Crawford-Adiletta's work won an award from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalism in 2009. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Case Western Reserve University.

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